Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698944736884.pdf (Zambia)
REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA MINISTERIAL STATEMENT TO PARLIAMENT DELIVERED BY THE MINISTER OF GENDER AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT ON THE ACTS OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT TOWARDS WOMEN AND CIRLS IN ZAMBIA Prepared by: Ministry of Gender and Child Development Lusaka 25ih Marct,2015 Let me take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, fo thank you for giving me this opportunity to deliver a Ministedal Statement, as Minister responsible {or Gender and Child Development, on the conhnuous acts of Gender Based Violence (GBV) obtaining in Zambia and continued harassment of women and eirl.
in Zambia- Right ftom the onsel I waJlt to state that Human rights are basic rights and fteedoms to which all humans arc entitled to, regardless of their gender.

These rights include the right to life, freedom of thought and expression, and equality before the law.
Sadly, our society has continued to witness the violation of these rights leading to vices such as Gender Based Violence which has not only claimed lives, but survivors ate in some cases left with life'long mental disorder, stigma and physical iniulies.

Ultimately, such survivors require intensive counseling and rehabilitation in places where the environment is conducive.

In the recent past reports of GBV in Zambia have shown more brutal forms.
These range from physical, sexual, psychological, emotional abuse and harrnful traditional practices.

Records at the Victim Support Unit (VSU) of the Zambia Police Service have recorded an upward swing \tith 6,7'16 cases reported in 2008, 8,382 in 2009;8467 1n 201.0,'11,9'14 in 2011,12,924 n 2072,10,2't7 in the lirst three quarters of 2013 and 12,998 in 2014 countrywide.
GBV is clearly not an isolated problem but rather, a widespread violation of human rights arld has had serious implications on Zambia's development agenda that transcend geography, sex, class, culture, age, race, religio& political affiliation.

Mr, Speaker, Let me share with the honourable members of this house and through you inJorm the nation that my Government is taking DBV as a very sedous issue.
To this effect we shall continue tJ provide leadership in coordinating the establishment of Shelters for survivots of Gender Based Violence as well as One-Stop Cenhes that will offer integated services as provided Ior in the Anti-Gender Based Violence Act No.

1 of 2011.

There are also several laws or legal frameworks which we shall continue to implement, \ /hich currendy embody acts of violence and harassment towards women and girls in Zambia.

These include: i.
These include: i.

The Republican Constitutiort Chapter One of the Laws of Zambia; ii.

The Anti Gender Based Violence Act No.1of 2011; iii.

The Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia; iv.

The Penal Code (Amendment) No.

15 oI2005; v. The C minal Procedure Code Chapter 88 of the Laws of Zarfibia; vi.

The Education A, I No.

of 20tt; vii.

Anti Human haJficking Act No.

11 of 2008; viii.

The Marriage Act Chapter 50; ix.

Matrimonial Causes Act No.

20 of 2007j x.


Legitimacy Act Chapter 52 of the Laws of Zambia; xi.

AJfiliation and Maintenance Act Chapter 64 of the Laws of Zambia, and Xii.

The Employment Act chapter 268 of the Laws of Zafi\bia.

These laws are adequate to address these acts of violence and harassment and serve as a detenent to would be offenders as they provide for prevention, protection, rehabilitation and empor/erment.

For example, the sexual offences carry a penalty of a minimum sentence oI 15 years.
In addition, the legal hameworks embodies international and regional standards.

However, more work needs to be done especially regarding awareness raisin&, implementation ftamework aid activities.

My Ministry is currently in the process of developing a robust corrununication strategy thai can rnatch the size of the problem, an implementation framework that takes into account the benefits of partnerships with the Civil Society orgdnizations, progrersive Traditional and Religious leaders.
Mr. Speaker, Let me also in{oim this house that, Gender based Violence is taking rnany forms, the most common ones being: 1.

Physical violence that includes spouse batterin& slappin& kicking, punching hitting pinching, chockin& throwing things at the spouse/ using or threatening violence or use of weapon; 2.

Psychological, emotions and mental torture; 3.

Rape, defilement (statutory rape) and incest 4.

Forced or child marriages; 5.

Sodomy; 6.

Prostitution; 7.

Sexual harassment 8.

Sexual cleansing 9.


The language we use; 10- Murder.

Mr. Speaker, According to a Report of the Technical Committee on the Strengthening of Laws: Enforcement Mechanisms and Support Systems Relating To Gender Based Violence, particularly Against Women and Children of July 2000, the following were cited as causes ofGender Based Violence amone others:- 1.

Pove*y especially amongst women and young people; 2.

Women low social economic status in our society; 3.
Unequal power relationships due to pahiarchal nature of societyi 4.

Early or Forced Marriages; 5.

Poverty; tr.

Actuliery ano susploon ot nqeLlry; 7.

Excessive alcohol and substance abuse by the PerPetrator; 8.

Denial oI conjugal rights especially sex; 9.

Bride price.

This reinforces a man's proprietary sense over wife to conhol even if it means using force; 10.
Polygamous practices that lead to suspicion of unfaithfulness as men are not able to satisfy all their wives sexually; 11. lntermarriages lead to conflicts of cultures if not properly handled; 12.

Traditional beliefs that allow a husband to chastise his wife once in a while as a form of discipline; and 13.

Children who witness or are the victims of violence may learn to believe that violence is a reasonable way to resolve conflict between people.
Boys who learn that women are not to be valued or rcspected and who see violence directed against women are more Iikely to abuse women when they $ow up.

Girls who witness domestic violence in their families of origin aie more likelv to be victimized bv their own husbands.

14.

Socialization and society norms.

Mr. Speakei, ln order to address challenges experienced on issues of violence and harassment against women and girls, my Minisky will continue to play the following roles: i.
Coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the Anti Gender Based Violence Act 1 of 201-l; ii.

Capacity building of stakeholders in society including womerL merL boys girls and member of vadous political parties; Promoting rights of women and girls, across the country; Awareness raising taigeting men/ women, boys, girls and children; artd 'I he e, onomi.

empowermenl of women "rnd girls.


Mr. Speaker In order to spearhead community response to GBV issues, the Minishy has been establishing District GBV Taskforces acro$s the counhy as part of the District Development Coordinating Committees (DDCCS).

So far, ten (10) district taskJorces are opemtional in Chipata and Katete in Eastern Province; Lusaka in Lusaka Province; Chinsali and Nakonde in Muchinga Province; and Choma, Kalomo and Livingstone in Southern Province.
Other Dishict TaskJorces in the rcmaining provinces will be operational in due course with a view to ensuring countrywide coverage.

In addition to these efforts, we shall continue working with editodal teams in both the print arld electronic media.

Although there is increased reports of gender and child development issues, a lot still needs to be done especially regarding t}le manner in which women and girls are portrayed in the media.
The success aclueved so far by working with the media, can be attributed to our partnership and training of journalists and reportels from the public, pdvate and community media stations as well as fhe quarterly media tracking meetings which serve as points of interaction, monitoring and evaluation.

However, although there is increased reporting of GBV, the choice of what can be reported and the language used is still gender biased and demeaning to women.
I must say some of the articles published should not find their way to the media.

We need to reach a point where the media stoops publishing articles where women are being abused and articles encouraging abusive language.

This again shows that a lot needs to be done.

I am also glad to report that, public awareness is on the increase and membe$ of the communities are responding in accor.lance with the Anti-Gender Based Violence Act No.
1 of 2011 when rnatters bordering on abuse of me& women and children take place.

It is evident that if we continue to empower oul people with information to take community actioD cases of gender based violence will signiJicdntly minimisF in society.

Notwithstanding these successes/ more still needs to be done to eradicate negative attitudes and practices in society.
Mr, Speaker, Allow me to inform this August house that there are a number of stakeholders such as the progressive haditional authorities, Iaw enJorcement agencies/ community/ opinion and religious Ieaders and Civil Society Organisations (CSOS) that complement our efforts in addressing issues of violence and harassment against women and girls and enforcing the laws against such acts.

Some of oui Traditional, rcIigious, opinion leaders in communities and CSOS for example: i.
Continue to advocate for zero tolerance to CBV; ii.

Discourdge negative culrural prat fices; iii.

Provide for stiffer punishment lor perpetrators of GBV; iv.

Provide leadership in breaking the culture of silence, rePorting to police GBV casesi v. Provide counsellin& and vi.

Encourage citizens' affest among the subjects.

I he law enJorcement agencies on lhe olher hdnd help in: i. EnJorcement of the law; ii.

EnsuringprotectionJ iii.

Informing the victim of their rights; iii.


InJorming the victim of available services such as shelters, medical treatment legal, counselin& and dght to lodge complaint iv.

Discouraging the boys, women and trivialisation or making fun of men and girls who are victims of GBV; and v. Providing for user cases in camera friendly victim seNices such as hearing and provision of private consulting Mi.

Speaker, It is important for me to share some the challenges both the Ministry and stakeholdeis face.
For example, the Ministry faces challenges of inadequate hurnan resources, limited budgetary allocatio& office equipment, transport among others to enable the Minishy execute the activities at preventing or reducing CBV.

Our stakeholders are also faced with: i.

Inadequate Judicial Officers to attend to GBV cases; ii.

Distances to stations where GBV cases can be reported, iii.

Delay in disposal ofcases by the Judiciary; iv.


Inadequate knowledge on GBV among Judicial ofFicers, tradihonal, religious, opinion leaders and CSOS; v. lnadequate forensic expetise in the countryi vii.

Inadequate social and medical personnel to attend to GBV cases promptly; vii.

Absence, costly and cumbersome referlal systemi Viii.

lnadequate One Stoo Centres; and ix.

Medical staJf not willine to testifu in cases oI GBV.
Mr. Speaker, As I conclude, I want to share with you all and advise all stakeholders that as we address issues of Gender Based Violence and harassment toward women and girls.

it is important that we also intensify and create as much awareness as possible and intervention programmes.

No amount of laws, one stop cenhes and arests can eliminate the scourge except through effective and consistent public awareness and advocacy aimed at attitude and behavioral change targeting the entire nation.
Furthermore, laws and awareness programmes must be matched with empowerment progmmmes for the vulnenble in sociery.

Mr, Speaker, Behavioural change is a long tedious process.
In fact it calls for a very robust investment such as: ln ourselves as gatekeepers, educatlory hunan resources caPacity in all our key players, religious leade6, the Media, Prograrnmes and activities that minimize poverty, progmmmes and activities that prevent early child mairiage, family life, the right leadershiP and the promotion of a five letter word; Called Love "love thy neighbour as you love yourself".

"Do unto others as you wish it be done to you.

I thank you Mr Speaker and beg to move.